B.J. Penn

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn will not be fighting at UFC 132 this July.

MMAjunkie.com reported the news earlier today after confirming the information with sources close to Penn’s camp.

A rematch between Penn and Jon Fitch was scratched from the card after the American Kickboxing Academy star was forced out of the contest due an injury. While it was believed that the UFC was searching for a replacement, the sources say that Penn will be fighting on a different card later this year.

Penn and Fitch fought a draw at UFC 127 last February and an immediate rematch was set in place for the two. The winner of the rematch would have in all likelihood been the next man to earn a title shot against the winner of Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields.

UFC 132 is set for July 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada and features a bantamweight championship between rivals Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. A replacement co-main event has yet to be announced.